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By Pastor Nathan Loudon
Last Updated: February 02, 2010
Life is full of challenges, some of them we respond to, some of them we create in ignorance.
So, here is my question to all of you “busy people" out there. What and whom do you prioritize?
I am young but not nearly as young as the kids I am teaching in confirmation class. I am in a position of leadership in this community and while I still have much to learn, I have already learned the hard way that I need to pace myself.
Regardless of how young or old we are, we all make choices every day and the choices we make speak volumes as to what or whom we prioritize. How do you respond to the challenge of the many demands upon your time?
Jesus said we couldn't serve two masters, we had to choose one. This command was done to illicit devotion to Him and keep us “on track" in the long run but if we took it more seriously on a daily basis things could be different; or maybe not.
Maybe we like living grueling, complicated, stressed-out and sick existences but I for one do not. Many people search for ways to get ahead and make a name for themselves. Ministers are not exempt from buying into this temptation; some feel that if they are in a bigger and busier church they will become a better pastor, how sad. God does call clergy to these churches but not in an attempt to pad their resume rather because they are called for that faith community in that time and season.
So I ask again, “What or whom do you prioritize in your life?" I have no doubt that many would quickly respond in support of their families or loved ones. That is all well and good and fine answers to be sure but how are you showing it? Is your love being communicated in working endless hours and multiple jobs, buying your children unnecessary toys and gadgets, drowning your sorrows of isolation from time with them in doing and buying things for them?
I could be doing way more tasks every day but I am learning to not over-extend myself and guard my time away from our growing family.
Some of you may remember when I became very sick in January of 2007. The auto-immune disease I developed was due in large part to the extra stress I was putting on my mind, body and soul.
Today I am far from free of the desire of having a successful and growing church but our church knows that my faith, health and family comes first. I do not wish for others to have to experience any similar kind of disorienting disease as I did however it has put my maturity into warp-speed. It has also made me realize it is high time for me to call out those who are clearly over-extending themselves.
Stop and take a minute to think it through. What are the motives behind your actions? Are you staying busy to do your own thing, have more stuff or because you think you have to? If you have children, what message are you sending your kids by expecting them to enroll in absolutely every sport or activity possible?
Frankly, it is becoming nearly impossible to schedule church activities and simple times of fellowship because of all "the events" in people's lives. Last time I checked Jesus never said “the busier and more stressed out the better." Far from it, he said choose your master wisely.
The over-extended and frazzled lives we choose to live do not show that we are better than others.
Instead, the busier we become the more it reflects how enslaved we are to the masters of speed and greed. Wake up young, middle-aged and older adults…you do not have to be so busy.
That is unless you want to become physically, emotionally and spiritually sick. It's your choice, who is your master?
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